Page 31 of See How They Hide

After all, his brother was dead because of her. He hadn’t forgiven her, and honestly? She hadn’t forgiven herself.

But she pushed the guilt and pain deep down because it would do her no good. Apologies, even though she was so desperately sorry for what happened, would never bring James back.

It was Andrew she needed to talk to. Once Andrew found out that Jane and Chris were dead, he would help. He wouldn’t be happy to see her, but he would take her to Jesse so they could warn Thalia.

She also needed to warn Andrew that he and Donovan might be next. They should disappear for a while until she and Thalia could do something.

She had no idea what theycoulddo, other than creating all new identities for the others and urging them to relocate. To create a new life yet again.

Riley closed her eyes, remembering how she’d begged Thalia to take her all those years ago.

“You’re eleven,” Thalia had said. “I can’t have you slowing me down.”

“Please,” Riley begged. “You don’t know how mean my mother is.”

“I’ve dealt with her cruelty far longer than you.” Thalia put her hand on Riley’s shoulder. “You are strong and brave. Stay strong. I need you here, my eyes and ears. Someday, it’ll be your turn. Just not now.”

Riley had a hard time forgiving Thalia for rescuing others before her. Yet, without Riley in Havenwood, Thalia wouldn’t have been able to do any of it. Alone, Thalia couldn’t have saved even one person. Every time Riley brought another person to the hidden sanctuary high in the mountains above Havenwood, Riley thought Thalia would take her, too. But always, Thalia said no.

“You need to stay.”

“Now’s not the time.”

“I need you in Havenwood.”

“If you leave, Calliope will never stop looking for you.”

So finally, Riley gave Thalia no choice. She faked her own death so her mother would never look for her.

There were truths that Thalia didn’t know, because Thalia hadn’t lived in Havenwood for years. When Thalia left, everything changed. And finally, Riley couldn’t take it. When she brought Jane to Thalia that summer night, Riley was prepared to leave on her own. She would disappear...or die.

Because death was better than living with evil.

The sound of a passing truck jerked Riley out of her memories.

The truck pulled into Andrew’s driveway. Andrew exited the vehicle and entered through the side door. She slowly counted to one hundred, then approached the house.

Andrew had once been a friend, a compatriot. Someone Riley had confided in, shared with, trusted.

As much as she trusted anyone.

That was a long time ago.

She knocked on the front door. The house might have been small, but it felt like a home. Thriving plants on the porch surrounded two chairs where Donovan and Andrew could watch the sunrise on a clear morning. A quiet street in a quiet neighborhood.

A life they’d built together from the ashes of hell, and Riley was going to shatter it.

Donovan answered. He stared in disbelief.

“What are you doing here?” he said through clenched teeth, his face reddening.

“I need to talk to you and Andrew.”

“You ofall peopleshould never have come.”

He was right, so she remained silent. But she didn’t leave.

Andrew appeared in the doorway, surprise and worry on his dark face. “Come in,” he said.

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